Carolina Pride

Tonight is the only night where I can't love the ground J.J Redick walks on. Well actually I can since they're playing it at Chapel Hill (I love that floor anyway). This is the first time they've played since I started up this blog so I feel that I should go through the  history of these two teams. There is truly no rivalry in all of Sports the UNC-Duke. PLease don't give me that Yankee-Redsox or even Michigan-Ohio State anyone who is a true fan of college basketball know that comparing the rivalries every respective sport can tell that UNC-Duke is the biggest and the best.

See look they're literally going toe to toe.

Now to the most important point, that being UNC is clearly better. THe stats tell the story and before we get to the stats these stats are albiet Duke (and I hate to say this) has more prestige with the main stream than UNC which is why they always have a better recruiting class. That being said, you should know:

-Carolina leads the all-time series with Duke, 124-95, despite the fact that Duke has won 15 of the last 18 games

-The Heels are #2 in wins. Duke is #4

-Carolina is 31-30 against Mike Krzyzewski-coached Duke teams

-Carolina has been ranked in the AP poll in 97 of the previous 119 games. Duke was ranked in 74 of those 119 match-ups

-Carolina has won the ACC regular-season title 24 times, including in 2004-05. The Blue Devils are second with 17 regular-season crowns

-Carolina has won 16 NCAA Regional championships and played in an NCAA-record 16 Final Fours. Duke has played in 14 Final Fours

There's more than the shear numbers there's the history in general of these two teams that can be enjoyed whether you're the Tarheel blue or the evil shade. These are the two most storied basketball teams in sports. here's a certain beauty if you can use that word to that rivalry. When you look at we both have the two best college coaches of all-time Mike Kryzewski ( no I didnot just that up) and Dean Smith. You have the big time private school versus the first public university. You think about the name that went to each school (we also happen win that but whatever) you think about Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Antwan Jamison, Vince Carter, Christian Laettner, Jerry Stackhouse and the list goes on and on. Which is part of why you know your getting something special, in my almost professional opinion I think we're watching at least two future NBA stars in J.J. Redick (yeah like it took a professional for that one) and Tyler Hansbrough (man he's still only a freshman!).

I do have to get to the actual but being fellow tarheels fan I'll turn that on over to Sportz Assassin: Carolina-Duke :

Duke heads into this game as a decided favorite.  They are the #2 team in the country with their only loss coming to a rabid Georgetown team.

Carolina heads into this game on a modest win streak, with an impressive win in Maryland to boot.  However, the Heels have been less than stellar at home of late.

But, while Duke will walk into Chapel Hill with such a stellar record....they have squeezed by a bit this season.  They had to beat Virginia Tech at home with a half court buzzer beater.  They also let Florida State take them to overtime in Cameron.  North Carolina beat both of those teams on the road already. 

You will see someof the top freshmen in this game.  Duke has Josh McRoberts....the top rated player in the Class of 2005.....and Greg Paulus.  North Carolina brings in possible freshman of the year Tyler Hansbrough...as well as Bobby Frasor, Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard. 

But the biggest names will be on Duke's side.  JJ Redick is a Player Of the Year candidate and Sheldon Williams is a fierce inside presence on both ends of the court.  How North Carolina deals with these two guys will set the tone for the game.

In the past....UNC has done a masterful job negating these two.  Williams has had to deal with Carolina's Sean May who ended last season with a Final Four MVP award.  May also had the game of his life the last time these two met....he had 26 pts and 24 rebounds in the Tar Heel win. 

Redick hasn't had a huge game against the Tar Heels [shooting a combined 25-of-71]....mainly because defensive hawk Jackie Manuel did the best job in the nation at getting in his face and staying there.  Manuel, like May, is gone so the Heels will have to find guys to do the job.

Those "guys" are freshmen.  The true test of Hansbrough will be in this game against an older, wiser center.  Heels fans [like me] may hate to admit this....but Hansbrough plays like a Dookie in his passion and can-do attitude.  That will be a good thing against Duke:  he won't be intimidated.

As for Redick, I'm very scared of what he may do.  The best Heels defender is Ginyard...but he doesn't start and, again, maybe to young to understand the nuances of defending Redick as Manuel did.  The key is to fight thru the screens....and Ginyard must do so if he wants to stick to JJ.

Another key match-up will be the point guard spot....where both teams start freshmen.  Bobby Frasor will have to deal with that rabid Duke pressure.  He cannot make too many mistakes or Duke will run away with this one.  On the other side, Paulus has had his ups and downs too....and will have to deal with Carolina's defensive intensity and getting back on defense to limit Tar Heel transition points....something that must be there for Carolina to win.

...You will get your prediction from me though...

Pick with your head not with your heart. Duke wins 71-63, you'd think it would be a blow out but the defense of UNC and the lack of by Duke is what's going to keep the Tarheels in it. By the way if we do win on my re entry I'll apologize for not believing in us which I do, it's just I have to pick a winner, Duke and J.J. Redick. I'll apologize when maybe we win.

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